Today we’d like to introduce you to Kris Towne.
Kris, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up in Central Minnesota, I was extremely blessed with a loving and artistic family. My folks were always involved in the community arts. In 1971 they started “Al’s Music” (named after my dad). Al’s Music was a sanctuary, a musical and creative Mecca in the middle of the Mid-West. I was surrounded by artists, teachers, poets and rockers. At one point my babysitter was “Stretch” (Paul Diethelm), a virtuoso guitarist who had just played at the white house for US President Bill Clinton.
Later in High School the realization that I wasn’t especially great at basketball sunk in. Glorious NBA dreams sank just as fast. I decided music was my path and remember being very confident about it. I’ve always been grateful I gleaned my passion at such a young age, and enjoyed my youth!! No time or money spent soul searching or aimlessly drifting through University. Truth be told I didn’t even really go to college. Instead I packed up my car and drove from Minnesota to San Diego where I fell in love with California and the west coast lifestyle.
I had bought a condenser microphone, a few pieces of gear and a BOSS BR-8 digital recorder to start recording my own songs. I even won a national competition for home recordings from ROLAND/BOSS and was awarded more recording gear and accolades at the following NAMM show in Anaheim. This small acknowledgment definitely helped spark my love of equipment and recording music in general!
Over the next few years, I worked a lot of cool low budget projects for friends, always inspired with the collective outcome between creative people. Working out of my comfort zone was a huge benefit and allowed me to experience worlds I would never have been interested in otherwise. I recorded some really cool hardcore and punk rock bands from IB and Chula Vista (CA) in the early 2000’s. Learning a lot about the culture and also incredible bands that inspired these kids to pick up guitars in the first place. (Thanks forever and ever Jorge and Sicky!)
I had a great decade of playing in bands, recording, and touring. Life was good. I was happy, but still wanted a more sustainable career in the music industry. Without digressing into a novel about the Law of Attraction… I set my mind and energy into finding a more permanent career. A phone call from Strat (Bryan Stratman) at Capricorn Studios came almost immediately. He had an engineer job open and I jumped without a parachute. Things clicked and a few months later I was lead engineer. Over the next several years I invested as a partner, and now run the studio as co-owner (along with Stratman).
Working in San Diego has been a dream. I’ve had the pleasure of recording with The Chainsmokers, Prayers, POD, Rick Rock, Dunekat, Diamanda Galas, Nicely, Shane Hall, Philip Phillips, Walk Off The Earth, and so many more. Professional TV and Film work for Marvel, Netflix, MTV, Tony Robbins, Fox’s “Lucifer” and more have kept my left brain sharp, a nice balance with all the creative work.
I still write and produce my own songs and have a goal of releasing music soon. I definitely see myself continuing to write instrumentals and beats, and performing in new bands/projects when the time is right…. hit me up let’s make some music!
Has it been a smooth road?
Working with artists can be emotionally challenging. Allowing somebody to hear your mistakes and shortcomings can be a scary, and vulnerable experience. I pride myself in creating a supportive and comfortable atmosphere for people to express themselves.
As far as personal obstacles, I can find myself neck deep in troubled water if I start comparing my work. Disappointment is devastatingly easy if I’m listening to an award-winning major label production against my recording. Yet it’s important to have lofty goals and study how successful records are crafted! On the flip, if I compare my newer work to something, I did years ago, I feel usually proud and satisfied! It’s integral that we understand how time, budget and experience can drastically sway results. Knowing when to use your own path as the yardstick of progress is key.
Operational challenges at the studio are persistent, and random. 20 years of recording in a historic building has added rich history to the walls, along with serious wear and tear. Recently I’ve had to install new LED track lighting, remodel the bathroom, installed new air conditioners, replace/upgrade the patchbay and snake setup for outboard gear, patch/prime/paint and so on. Thanks to the help of John Joyce (Capricorn engineer) we’ll be launching a new website in July, and continue to grow and navigate the ever changing online world.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
Capricorn Studios has built a lasting and positive presence in the San Diego community, made award winning records, and catalogued major TV/Film recordings. Forget the glitz and name dropping tho, there has always has been an incredible amount of support and development for small artists at our studio.
I want to continue to offer more opportunities for young artists, music/recording mentorship programs, lessons, local concerts, charity events and more.
Our studio has been a pillar in the San Diego music scene for two decades. In my early 20’s I remember coming to Capricorn and being completely blown away by the incredible atmosphere and experience I had with Strat (Bryan Stratman) and Joe Goodwin (former mastering engineer). Little did I know ten years later I would be here as an owner and producer/engineer myself. My goal is to continue that legacy, and continue to help artists and the general San Diego community flourish.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
San Diego has such an exciting energy and vibrant border culture! Between the sunshine, beaches, amazing food and melting-pot lifestyle; I could think of no better place to live and run a recording studio. I get to meet and work with artists from so many backgrounds. Learning about where they’re from and the kind of music they are creating is fascinating.
Of course, there’s always room for improving our community! Breaking down and dismantling systemic racism and violence is on the front burner. Discrimination in general needs to be a thing of the past. All in all though, I would definitely say San Diego is a peaceful and inspiring place to be an artist.
Contact Info:
- Address: 927 E Street
San Diego, CA 92101 - Website: www.capricornstudios.net
- Phone: (619)231-6999
- Email: info@capricornstudios.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capricornstudios_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Capricorn-Studios-132862266758616/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/capricorn-studios-san-diego
Image Credit:
Danny De La Cruz
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